barefoot
Was wondering about keeping the water repellent intact when cleaning and found this......Equestrians' Choice Laundry Service Blog
Waterproofing / Water Repellency - The FAQ's
Over the last year, waterproofing has become my pet project. I say "waterproofing" because that is the term most commonly used in conversation. To be technically correct, it is "water repellent", but for ease of typing and understanding I will use "waterproof".
Most folks do not fully understand what waterproofing is and how it really works. They believe that if they buy a waterproof horse blanket, then it will always be waterproof. Unfortunately that is not the case, unless the blanket is manufactured with a Gore-Tex or other similar breathable waterproof fabric. The majority of blankets on the market are treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR). This chemical treatment is usually made of silicone, flouropolymer or wax-elastomer. In my opinion, the best are the latter two as silicone tends to hamper the breathability of the fabric.
DWR that has been applied by the manufacturer can last up to three years depending on the quality of the DWR and how well you take care of your blanket. After that, it is necessary to re-proof your blanket at least every two years. Dirt, grime, and improper washing will destroy the DWR which, unfortunately, results in a wet, cold horse.
To maintain the highest level of water repellency, brush mud and dirt off your blanket regularly. At the end of winter, have your blanket professionally laundered for optimal cleaning and waterproof protection. DO NOT allow your blanket to lay in a heap on your tack room floor or in a garbage bag. Not only will this destroy your waterproofing, but it degrades the fabric and reduces the useful life of your blanket. Trust me on this one! I've seen what happens when blankets are stuffed in garbage bags for five months; it's not pretty.
In this business, we get many questions about waterproofing. Below are a few of the most common ones:
1. Will your wash remove my blanket's waterproofing? No...and we guarantee it. In fact, our wash process actually enhances and rejuvenates the waterproofing in blankets one to three years old, provided you took proper care of your blanket before sending to us. We use a mild, fabric cleaner that removes the dirt and grime without the harsh chemical action of regular laundry detergents. At your request, we can test the waterproofness and apply only if necessary, as well as let you know whether untreated blankets will require re-proofing the next year.
2. Why do I still need to treat my Gore-Tex blanket with DWR? Gore-Tex blankets are constructed with an outer shell material, holofil insulation, Gore-Tex membrane and a nylon liner. The outer shell and the insulation are not waterproof. If the outer shell is left untreated, water will pass through and soak the insulation. The water does not pass through the membrane to the horse; however, the water will restrict the breathability of the membrane. Also, the water trapped in the insulation can freeze thereby eliminating the heat-retaining features resulting in a cold, clammy horse. Treating the outer shell allows water to run off instead of soaking through the fabric. All layers of your blanket stay dry maximizing the effectiveness of the blanket, as well as your investment.
3. My blanket is only one year old, do I need to re-proof? It depends on a few different things - quality of the blanket, care of blanket prior to washing, wash method. If you purchased a blanket with good quality waterproofing and you had it professionally laundered immediately after winter, chances are your blanket will not need re-proofing for at least another year. If, on the other hand, you tossed your mud-and-manure- encrusted blanket in the corner of the barn to "ferment" through the heat of summer, then your waterproofing is most likely destroyed. Worse yet, your blanket's fabric might even be damaged. Likewise, if you washed your blanket in your favorite home detergent or at the laundromat, you run the risk of destroying the DWR. The safest, most sanitary way to clean your blanket and maintain waterproofness is by using a professional horse blanket launderer.
4. Can't I treat my own blanket for less money than what you charge? Yes, maybe. We purchase the highest quality DWR in bulk to save you money. If you were to buy the same quality at retail price, you would most likely spend more than $15 to buy enough product to treat a horse blanket. Of course, there are the less expensive silicone versions on the market, but you risk reducing breathability with that option. If you insist on treating your own blanket, we recommend Nikwax Rug Proof, Nikwax TX Direct, or McNett ReviveX.
5. How do I know if my blanket needs re-proofing? Simply splash a few drops of water on your blanket. If the fabric wets out and and the water soaks through, it's time to re-proof. If the water beads and rolls off the fabric, you're good to go! Of course, we will gladly test this for you at the end of our blanket wash process.
We hope that the above information sheds a bit more light on the waterproofing issue for you. Should you have additional questions, don't hesitate to email us at [email]info@equestrianschoice.net[/email]. If you're interested in our services, please visit our website for pricing, pickup & delivery details and other information. We will offer pickup and delivery services anywhere in the US! Earn discounts through completed referrals. Email for details! Equestrians Choice Laundry Service...the BEST choice for all your equine laundry needs!
May all your horses stay warm and dry this winter!
Waterproofing / Water Repellency - The FAQ's
Over the last year, waterproofing has become my pet project. I say "waterproofing" because that is the term most commonly used in conversation. To be technically correct, it is "water repellent", but for ease of typing and understanding I will use "waterproof".
Most folks do not fully understand what waterproofing is and how it really works. They believe that if they buy a waterproof horse blanket, then it will always be waterproof. Unfortunately that is not the case, unless the blanket is manufactured with a Gore-Tex or other similar breathable waterproof fabric. The majority of blankets on the market are treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR). This chemical treatment is usually made of silicone, flouropolymer or wax-elastomer. In my opinion, the best are the latter two as silicone tends to hamper the breathability of the fabric.
DWR that has been applied by the manufacturer can last up to three years depending on the quality of the DWR and how well you take care of your blanket. After that, it is necessary to re-proof your blanket at least every two years. Dirt, grime, and improper washing will destroy the DWR which, unfortunately, results in a wet, cold horse.
To maintain the highest level of water repellency, brush mud and dirt off your blanket regularly. At the end of winter, have your blanket professionally laundered for optimal cleaning and waterproof protection. DO NOT allow your blanket to lay in a heap on your tack room floor or in a garbage bag. Not only will this destroy your waterproofing, but it degrades the fabric and reduces the useful life of your blanket. Trust me on this one! I've seen what happens when blankets are stuffed in garbage bags for five months; it's not pretty.
In this business, we get many questions about waterproofing. Below are a few of the most common ones:
1. Will your wash remove my blanket's waterproofing? No...and we guarantee it. In fact, our wash process actually enhances and rejuvenates the waterproofing in blankets one to three years old, provided you took proper care of your blanket before sending to us. We use a mild, fabric cleaner that removes the dirt and grime without the harsh chemical action of regular laundry detergents. At your request, we can test the waterproofness and apply only if necessary, as well as let you know whether untreated blankets will require re-proofing the next year.
2. Why do I still need to treat my Gore-Tex blanket with DWR? Gore-Tex blankets are constructed with an outer shell material, holofil insulation, Gore-Tex membrane and a nylon liner. The outer shell and the insulation are not waterproof. If the outer shell is left untreated, water will pass through and soak the insulation. The water does not pass through the membrane to the horse; however, the water will restrict the breathability of the membrane. Also, the water trapped in the insulation can freeze thereby eliminating the heat-retaining features resulting in a cold, clammy horse. Treating the outer shell allows water to run off instead of soaking through the fabric. All layers of your blanket stay dry maximizing the effectiveness of the blanket, as well as your investment.
3. My blanket is only one year old, do I need to re-proof? It depends on a few different things - quality of the blanket, care of blanket prior to washing, wash method. If you purchased a blanket with good quality waterproofing and you had it professionally laundered immediately after winter, chances are your blanket will not need re-proofing for at least another year. If, on the other hand, you tossed your mud-and-manure- encrusted blanket in the corner of the barn to "ferment" through the heat of summer, then your waterproofing is most likely destroyed. Worse yet, your blanket's fabric might even be damaged. Likewise, if you washed your blanket in your favorite home detergent or at the laundromat, you run the risk of destroying the DWR. The safest, most sanitary way to clean your blanket and maintain waterproofness is by using a professional horse blanket launderer.
4. Can't I treat my own blanket for less money than what you charge? Yes, maybe. We purchase the highest quality DWR in bulk to save you money. If you were to buy the same quality at retail price, you would most likely spend more than $15 to buy enough product to treat a horse blanket. Of course, there are the less expensive silicone versions on the market, but you risk reducing breathability with that option. If you insist on treating your own blanket, we recommend Nikwax Rug Proof, Nikwax TX Direct, or McNett ReviveX.
5. How do I know if my blanket needs re-proofing? Simply splash a few drops of water on your blanket. If the fabric wets out and and the water soaks through, it's time to re-proof. If the water beads and rolls off the fabric, you're good to go! Of course, we will gladly test this for you at the end of our blanket wash process.
We hope that the above information sheds a bit more light on the waterproofing issue for you. Should you have additional questions, don't hesitate to email us at [email]info@equestrianschoice.net[/email]. If you're interested in our services, please visit our website for pricing, pickup & delivery details and other information. We will offer pickup and delivery services anywhere in the US! Earn discounts through completed referrals. Email for details! Equestrians Choice Laundry Service...the BEST choice for all your equine laundry needs!
May all your horses stay warm and dry this winter!
